History says don’t rule out LT as a Raider

This is hardly an original thought, but the more you think about it, the more LaDainian Tomlinson continuing his career with the Raiders makes sense.

The downside is obvious. Tomlinson has gained 1,840 yards on 515 carries over the last two years, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He’s averaged only 3.8 against the Raiders, a team which he has shredded for 2,017 yards and 25 touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in 18 games.

It brings to mind the last days of Roger Craig and Eric Dickerson in 1991-92, with the Raiders handing the ball to a past-his-prime back and getting little in return.

(Marcus Allen watched from the bench, but that’s another story).

Tomlinson also ruled out the Raiders in his tear-streaked press conference after learning of his release from the Chargers.

“The Raiders are pretty set in the backfield,” he said. “Even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t become a Raider.”

As far as being set in the backfield, there has been a vacancy. And if Tomlinson reversed field, he wouldn’t be the first to view Al Davis as a caricature from afar only to be captivated by him in person. Especially if Davis’ name is at the bottom of a check bigger than he’ll get anywhere else.

Other reasons it shouldn’t shock anyone if Tomlinson ended up with the Raiders:

— There isn’t going to be a huge market for Tomlinson and it’s unlikely anyone will make him a lead back. He won’t cost a fortune.

— Davis fondness for “greatness” goes beyond those those who started their careers with the Raiders.

Think of L.T. as another Raider Hall of Famer in the media guide five years after he retires.

— Touchdowns.

In his public appearances over the past few years, it’s been a constant theme with Davis. “We’ve got to score.”

Tomlinson has 23 rushing touchdowns in his past two “down” years, plus another receiving. The recently departed Justin Fargas has 10 touchdowns in his entire career.

Steve Baker, the agent for Fargas, said via e-mail Saturday night his client was healthy enough to play. Fargas himself told the San Francisco Chronicle today he was lining up visits, with Kansas City being a possible destination. Nor did he rule out the 49ers.

Fargas wasn’t cut because he was hurt. If he scored 10 touchdowns a year, rather than 10 in his career, he would have collected his $1.7 million bonus as well as his $755,000 salary in 2010.

— Davis doesn’t believe in chemistry, so he’s not going to worry if Tomlinson pouts about lack of use with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush still around.

As for how the rotation will work, that job belongs to Hue Jackson and Tom Cable.

— Tomlinson has never been disparaging of the Raiders in public. He’s always downplayed the notion of his success against the Raiders, and reminded Bay Area writers on his yearly conference call about how the Raiders got the better of him his first few years in the league.

— Regardless of what Tomlinson said upon being released, who doesn’t think there is some appeal to being in silver and black to help the Raiders end a 13-game losing streak to the Chargers which began in 2003?

— I threw out a net on this rumor today and got nothing in the form of a positive response. Nor did I get anything from anyone on background saying, “No chance. It won’t happen, etc. . . .”

Norco Bob Says:
March 7th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
30 year old LT much better then whatever age McFaddon is now. Word.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Bob has his moments of clarity. Oh snap.

RaiderRockstar

Jhill: you called it man

you said that Barnes was a Cable boy.

I give you props for that

so what now?

He’ll try to make the conversion to RT and compete with Erik Pears for the job or he’ll provide depth & competition for “super” Mario at LT and we’ll get somebody proven to fill the RT position ???

raiderhoya

Jerry, I am upset with you. You are wrong.
Jerry, you are absolutely incorrect.
Ladainian has made disparaging remarks about Oakland.
After the second game against Oakland in 2009, Ladainian made the comment” It was good to Beat the raiders and knock them down and keep them down”.
That is precisely what Ladainian said.
Do your homework next time Jerry before you make up crap.
At this point in their careers, Fargas is much better than Ladainian.

Snoopy

LdT without a power leading fullback is… well, he’s good but not great.

LdT without a power leading fullback and now late in his career…

Just a coach.

raiderhoya

Jerry, do your homework before you write false articles.
Quit putting B.S. information in your inaccurate reports.
Ladainian has made bad remarks about Oakland to the media.
You are way off Jerry.
Again , Fargas definitely has more left in the tank than Ladainian.

Ladainian is a punk. He does not deserve to wear silver and black. He is not worthy of being a Raider.
His legs are trashed.

bcz24

The only thing I can think of for you guys saying its lame for the Raiders to sign LT is just anger for the fact that he emarassed us for the last 10 years. Seriously how could Tomlinson HURT the Raiders? Who cares how much money Al spends on the guy, there is no salary cap to worry about and believe, we are in no danger of losing an NFL team to bankruptcy. LT is one of the classiest guys to ever play the game, and would do wonders for the 2 young RBs we have now. I think LT has some juice left in the tank, SD wasnt able to run the ball any better without him than with him, so lets get off the 3.5ypc stat already. The Dolts were determined to be a passing team and thats what they were. Everytime LT would get some momentum going they would bring in midgetman Sproles. SIGN LT!!!!

RaiderRockstar

Copenhagen_Fan:

grandpa al still has a chance to make it right…

as posted earlier, NT’s Jamal Williams & Maake Kemoeatu are both still available.

go get one or both to anchor the D-Line and then draft OL not named Bruce Campbell at #8

if Lamarr Houston is there in Round 2, you grab him. If he’s not, then draft OL again. C, RG & RT are definate needs for this team!

RaiderRockstar

now that Fargas is gone, I can see grandpa al targeting Tomlinson. does LT want to join a losing team with a crowded backfield though? al would have to overpay for his services and unfortunately I think he would…

I think I’d rather give McBush a chance. then get some hungry undrafted kid (like Louis Rankin) to provide a spark and compete for the return man duties

jhill

I dunno RRS …

I really don’t know what it means. We will certainly find out on draft day. If we draft an OT, I think that means Mario will be out at LT.

I just don’t see us drafting a RT at 8. I know, I know, but I have us taking a guard at 8 in Iupati?

I’ll be the first one to admit I have not a clue as to what we are going to do in the draft. Or at OT.

RaiderRockstar

if Bush doesn’t work on his conditioning and McFadden doesn’t work on his ball security we’ll have to sign another starter-quality back before preseason anyways

jhill

McBush is CERTAINLY going to get center stage this year. Let’s just hope that 1) Bush can stay in the game more than 3 plays, and 2) DMAC can hold on to the pelota!

RaiderRockstar

Jhill: please don’t take my comments from last week the wrong way …

I would rather have Iupati at #8 than any other position besides OT/DT.

I just don’t see it happening. Just like you and I probably both don’t see grandpa al drafting Dan Williams @ 8

jhill

I will say if it were me picking, I’d go with Dez Bryant and let Barnes, Henderson, and Walker be my RT, LT, and RG respectively.

I think at this point, I’ll take ANYONE over Carlisle and Green.

jhill

Re Dan Williams …

Still waiting on them to cut big $ Warren.

If that happens, I think Williams is in play.

RaiderRockstar

Still waiting on them to cut big $ Warren.

***

me too!

when is his bonus payment due?

hwnrdr

Just wondering, like every year, where are we going? Want to see up, because it really can’t get any worse, right? But, everytime that phrase is mentioned…we really don’t get any better!!! So, we can’t stay lateral for too much longer, can we?

jhill

Re #3 RB …

I can’t see LT coming here and waiting on McBush to falter before he can get some carries.

There were a couple nice RBs I peeped at the Senior bowl that we may be able to get in the 3rd round or so.

The Judge

Jhill

I have been wanting M. Bush to get a chance to be our main guy since he was drafted. I was a bit dismayed at his conditioning this past year and Cables reluctance to use him more.

With Fargas gone I would love to see Bush get 20 to 25 carries a game and maybe 3 to 5 receptions a game.

As far as LT, I say PASS on this guy, he may still have something left in the tank but we have to see what we have in Bush and McFadden.

I will say that is Ben Tate is still available in the 5th, I would grab him.

hwnrdr

Wait…on Friday, I thought that was supposed to be happening (cutting Warren)…I guess it didn’t happen!!!

jhill

I think it was the same date as Fargas’ per Schefter.

I wonder if he restructured? I actually think he should stay on the team as a backup, so I hope he did restructure.

NoMoreFargas

Even a washed up tomlinson has way more in tank than Fargas had ever come on I hope KC gets him can’t wait to watch him get half a yard on the 1, draft Matthews in 2 rd and he beats out dmac . Bush/Mattews that’s backfield I hope for not the laughable 3 headed monster of dmac/fargas/bush, no backfield with fargas and dmac is a monster.

jhill

Judge,

The jury is still out (couldn’t resist) on Bush. 25 carries and a few receptions? What about DMAC?

hwnrdr

Yeah, maybe he did! Funny though…how long was the announcement of Fargas made (I heard Friday at about 4PM) that it was actually announced on raiders.com?

RaiderRockstar

I think it was the same date as Fargas’ per Schefter.

***

so it’s due today? didn’t that PFT article say Fargas’ bonus was due Monday?

I remember Jerry Mac saying last year that the bonus dates can actually be pushed around by the club if they wish. Hmm

RaiderRockstar

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted today to “Look for Raiders to release RB Justin Fargas and DT Gerard Warren before they have to pay their roster bonuses in the coming days.”

As for Warren, that’s an easier move to make. He shared snaps last year with Richard Seymour and Dez Bryant, with the Raiders big on the undrafted rookie last year. Warren is due a $1 million roster bonus, according to profootalltalk.com, and is scheduled to make $755,000 next season.

-David White (SF Gate)

***

alright, so we don’t have anything official. bonus is due “in the coming days” whatever that means

I agree with RaiderRockstar….try to pick up some guy like Rankin who can also return kicks.

If McFadden and Bush are not enough then it is just unacceptable.

In a way, I believe that LT would be better than both of our current guys, but don’t want to pay the crybaby, who would become a cancer if he didn’t get playing time.

Time for McBust og Bush to come through!

bcz24

Sorry guys but I am just not sold on Bush or McFadden. Bush will never be called a bust as a 4th rnd pick, but really, he flashes greatness. Thats it, just flashes. His brief and fleeting success may be as much the coaching staffs fault as his own, but if they arent going to play the guy, and/or he cant carry the load… cut the ties and move on. I am sick of waiting for these guys to get good.

I would have been ecstatic to get LT in a trade for DWAC. But as a free agent? Take it or leave it.

jhill

The thing is, we have to find out about Bush and McFadden once and for all. The same way we had to find out about Jamarcus Russell last year. Even if it means missing the playoff again this year. We HAVE to roll with Bush and McFadden exclusively all year.

hwnrdr

OK…so how long till you guys think that Al will make an announcement that LT will be a Raider? Sorry… I mean Herrera…

jhill

DWAC ????

LMFAO!

Ahhhh man, you guys crack me up.

I mean it is so clear to me that DMAC is a big play waiting to happen, I just don’t see how some of you can’t see that. He is AT LEAST Reggie Bush out of the backfield and at WR.

RaiderRockstar

NMF: now that Fargas is gone, what can you change your name to?

NoMoreRussell?

I would suggest “NoMoreWalrus” but PETA might come after you!

hwnrdr

I would suggest “NoMoreWalrus” but PETA might come after you!

Maybe if you put No MoreJaWalrus…PETA will stay off your back…they don’t care about humans!

jhill

Russell is going to come off the bench week 5 for an injured/ineffective (take your pick) Bruce Gradkowski, and win the fans back by leading us to 11 wins and the division title!